The site allows the general public and employers tosecurely access their cases and account information; apply for child support; locate a child support office; make payments and estimate a child support payment. Visitors to the website will also be able to view child support news bulletins.

Child Support Enforcement is part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Department for Income Support (DIS). Child support staff and contractors in every county provide assistance to parents with minor children seeking financial support from a noncustodial parent.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes said the new website was created with the best interests of child support customers and their employers in mind.

“This one-stop website will make it easier for noncustodial and custodial parents to find answers to their questions while ultimately increasing access to more resources to help parents care for their children,” she said.

DIS Deputy Commissioner Steve Veno said the website is a vital tool in managing child support in Kentucky.

“We can provide better client service, and we will see increased collections and greater compliance because of the ease of this site,” he said. “Our customers have long asked for more self-service options, and we are answering that request with this new website.”

Veno said because the website will help provide answers to general questions about child support, it will alleviate long waits for customers calling the child support hotline (1-800-248-1163)for more in-depth information.

In state fiscal year 2011, the Child Support Enforcement office collected more than $407 million in child support payments.

“Any amount of child support is valuable to the children receiving it,” Veno said. “Simplifying the payment process contributes to our children’s safety, health and well-being, and that’s our goal with this new website.”

Veno said participants who establish accounts will be able to access information related to their child support cases along with bulletins and appointment information.

They will be able to update personal data, including employment information, direct deposit (for custodial parents), and health and military records.

Case summaries that include current status and payment history will also be available just for members.

Participants may also upload records and new information for their caseworkers to access. Customers and caseworkers will also have the ability to simultaneously co-browse the same information.

Another portal of the website allows department staff to analyze specific or general data and perform searches for hard-to-locate parents.

Veno said this area of the website will enhance CSE caseworkers’ performance and accuracy.